FAIRFAX CITY, VA — Rachel McQuillen supported Fairfax City's last two annual budgets while opposing the 2026 meals-tax increase. On development, she opposed the accessory dwelling unit ordinance and the recent Highlands at Mantua rezoning, while supporting the city's affordable housing framework.
McQuillen is running for a City Council seat in the Nov. 3 election. This review examines votes cast while serving on the council in 2025 and 2026.
SEE: How Four Fairfax Candidates Voted On Taxes, Trails, Housing And Willard-Sherwood
McQuillen supported the fiscal 2026 budget adopted May 6, 2025, and the fiscal 2027 budget adopted May 5, 2026. Both overall budget votes were unanimous.
On May 5, 2026, McQuillen opposed setting the meals-tax rate at 4.5%, effective July 1. The measure passed 4-2, with Hall and McQuillen opposed.
"I fully support fiscal responsibility and a balanced budget," McQuillen said in a statement entered into the May 5 minutes. "But I do not believe this is the right place, or the right time, to increase this particular tax." Her statement also cited food affordability and cost-of-living concerns.
McQuillen supported the separately adopted real estate tax rate of $1.0725 per $100 of assessed value. In July, Hall also supported requesting a November referendum on a sales tax of up to 1% for school and/or public transportation capital projects. That was a request for a referendum, not council approval of the tax.
McQuillen opposed five of the six October 2025 land-use and design approvals for the Willard-Sherwood city and county sites. She supported the certificate of appropriateness for the city site at 3740 Blenheim Blvd.
In April 2026, McQuillen supported proceeding with construction, excluding the optional performing-arts renovation and addition at Sherwood, and amending the joint development agreement. The authorization passed unanimously.
The October votes concerned land-use permissions and design. The April vote concerned moving ahead with construction under the stated scope. Comparing them requires keeping those separate decisions in view.
On Jan. 13, 2026, McQuillen opposed appropriating an additional $4.6 million for George Snyder Trail. The motion failed on a 3-3 council split.
McQuillen then supported canceling the trail in its entirety. Cancelation passed 4-2. Those votes concern this specific project and do not establish a position on every trail or bicycle proposal.
McQuillen supported adoption of the Affordable Housing Strategic Plan in February 2026 as a framework, with future actions subject to resources and council approval.
On July 28, McQuillen supported postponing the accessory dwelling unit ordinance until Sept. 8. After the deferral failed 3-3, McQuillen opposed the original ordinance motion. It passed 4-2.
In 2025, McQuillen opposed the Davies property rezoning and development plan. Later that year, McQuillen supported denying both the Combined Courthouse special exceptions and its certificate of appropriateness.
McQuillen supported postponing the Highlands at Mantua decision to Oct. 13 and then opposed rezoning after the delay failed. The council split 3-3 on postponement, and Mayor Catherine Read voted against delay.
The Council Reporter names McQuillen and Hall as opponents of both rezoning and the design certificate, each approved 4-2. The record establishes those votes without assigning McQuillen a motive she did not explicitly state in the written action summary.
The separate Highlands comprehensive-plan amendment passed unanimously. The project approvals and the earlier postponement request were distinct motions.
This review covers selected votes in 2025 and 2026 on four issue areas. It draws on city minutes, the Council Reporter and Patch reporting. It examines four incumbent candidates, not every candidate in either race. Research is current through Sept. 23, 2026.
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